Green and Gold Student Leadership and Professional Development Grant

Information Session

CAPS: Your U of A Career Centre

Outline

Introductions Overview

Purpose and goalsEligibility

How to applyDeadlinesApplication packageAdjudication criteria

Alternative funding options

Introductions

Name Program What questions would you like

answered today? Any potential activities you’re

interested in?

What is the Green & Gold Grant?

Funding for U of A students to participate in high impact professional development

activities

Why? To help U of A students become leaders in

their profession following graduation

Thank you to our donors!

More specifically, we want to help you…

Develop a leadership role in your field of interest

Gain unique insights into your chosen profession

Establish networks vital to professional practice and advancement

Learn about professional practices in different cultures and contexts

Enhance your future employability skills*

Transferable or “soft” skills/attributes For example:

Communication skills Integrity and ethical behavior Self-initiative Time management skills Personal accountability Perseverance Inspiring others to pursue a goal or vision

* “Employability skills”?

Granting areas

The Grant reimburses (i.e. pays back) expenses from participating in eligible activities

The Grant funds 80% of the total cost of an activity, up to a maximum of $1,500 CAD

Potential activities: Leadership conferences and seminars Skill-building workshops Meetings and events hosted by professional

associations Experiential learning activities

Cirque du Soleil: Behind the scenes

Las Vegas, USA

International Radio Summit

Toronto, Ontario

Student experiences

Since September 2011, over 237 students have participated in Grant-funded activities

Activity examples: Canadian Conference on Student Leadership,

in BC Engineers Without Borders Conference, in

Ontario Annual Reliability & Maintainability

Symposium, in Florida Business Sustainability Conference, in Quebec Conference on Cultural Diplomacy: Power of

Arts and Culture in Promoting Global Peace, in Germany

What expenses can the Grant pay for?

Registration fees Membership fees Airfare Baggage fees Vehicle

rental/mileage Accommodation Meals/per diem

Flight cancellation insurance

Visas Travellers’

medical insurance Required

vaccinations And more…

What the Grant does not fund

1. Academic conferences where the primary purpose for attending is to present research

2. Activities organized by registered student groups

3. Research-related travel (e.g. research group meeting)

4. Activities that will result in academic credit (e.g. practicum)

5. Required professional accreditation activities

6. Work experience placements, whether paid or unpaid (e.g. internship)

Who can apply?

All current U of A students with satisfactory academic standing (2.0+): Full-time and part-time students Undergraduate and graduate students International students

You must be student at time of application AND when activity takes place

You apply individually (no group applications)

You can only get one Grant during your degree

Application process

1. Submit a complete application package by the correct deadline

2. An Adjudication Committee will review your application package

3. If your application is approved, you’ll attend your activity and then:Submit reimbursement form and

receiptsProvide an activity report

Application deadlinesStart date of activity

Application deadline (11:59 p.m.)

August August 1September August 1

October August 15November September 15December October 15

January November 15February December 1

March January 15April February 15May March 15June April 15July May 15

Application package

Submitted online via BearsDen:1. Applicant information2. Activity details3. Preparation details4. Budget5. Personal essay6. Letter of reference 

1. Applicant Information

Basic information about you ID number Email, phone number Academic program Graduation dates And so on…

2. Activity details

Basic information about the activity Name and website of activity Host organization Location Date of activity and travel dates Description of activity, in your own words

(up to 150 words)

3. Preparation details

Planning: Where are you in the planning process?

Preparations made? What’s left to arrange? (150 words)

What if you aren’t approved for Grant funding? (75 words)

Fiscal responsibility: How have you tried to minimize costs? (75

words) What are your other funding sources?

Include amounts received.

4. Budget Complete and upload Excel template

Include ALL activity expenses: Explain each calculation (e.g. per diem) Upload supporting documentation (e.g.

screenshot)

Expenses must align with U of A policies: E.g. Cannot book first-class flight

Budget template

5. Personal essay

Up to 500 words Content:

Describe your career or professional aspirations

Describe the activity events, sessions, outcomes

Make the link between the activity and your leadership and professional goals (skills/competencies/knowledge you’ll gain)

Be specific – remember your audience

Edit for spelling/grammar mistakes, jargon

6. Letter of reference

Must be from U of A faculty member See tip sheet for referees Content:

Merits and learning outcomes of activity How activity will support your career goals Your leadership accomplishments and

potential

Optional: 2nd letter from non-faculty member

Adjudication process

Five adjudicators for each application Staff, students, faculty

When will you know the decision? ~4 weeks from application deadline

(except December) Decisions are final

Three adjudication criteria…

Adjudication criterion #1

Appropriateness of the proposed activity in relation to the purpose of the grant

Explanation: Will participating in this activity help you become a leader in your profession following graduation? Address specific goals…

Adjudicators consider: The purpose and value of the activity Explanation of career goals and learning

outcomes Letter of reference

Remember the purpose of the Grant is to help you…

Develop a leadership role in your field of interest

Gain unique insights into your chosen profession

Establish networks vital to professional practice and advancement

Learn about professional practices in different cultures and contexts

Enhance your future employability skills

Adjudication criterion #2

Quality of the application package

Explanation: Have you provided a polished and well-written application package?

Adjudicators consider: Level of detail provided about the activity Writing that is clear, concise and free of

errors Persuasive and logical explanations

Adjudication criterion #3

Applicant commitment and fiscal responsibility

Explanation: Have you demonstrated initiative, organizational skills and perseverance?

Adjudicators consider: Planning completed to date Efforts to secure other sources of funding Efforts to minimize overall costs

Adjudication outcome

Congratulations! Within 20 days of your activity:

1. Submit reimbursement form and receipts

2. Submit a report describing: Activity/events you participated in Skills and competencies you developed How you will apply these skills and

competencies in the future

Alternative funding

Academic avenues Professors, Department, Faculty, student

associations Professional associations

Student rates, sponsorship Private employer or volunteer

organizations Sponsorship, professional development

Other funding programs – see Grant website Registered student groups: conference &

activity grants Graduate students Topic-specific

Questions?

Thank you!

greenandgoldgrant@ualberta.ca

CAPS: Your U of A Career Centre